The celebration was a nod to his Kosovar Albanian heritage and a pointed gesture aimed at Serbia.

Both Xhaka and Shaqiri celebrated their goals by referencing Albania's symbolic double-headed eagle with their hands. Xhaka's parents are originally from Kosovo and they are of Albanian heritage.

Serbia refuses to recognize the independence of its former province Kosovo which broke away 10 years ago. Xhaka and Shaqiri both have Albanian-Kosovan roots and there are bitter feelings that remain in the region between Serbs and Kosovans following the bloody Kosovo war that ended in 1999. You can see what I did, and it's just emotion, and I'm just happy to have scored the goal.

A rousing team talk from coach Vladimir Petkovic may have kicked his players into life, and it only took his men seven minutes to get the equaliser. "You should always show respect. I think on and off the pitch we need to steer away from politics in football and we should focus on this as a sport that brings people together". Against Switzerland, he is likely to be the key player once again. "It's a wonderful atmosphere and a positive experience and that's what football should be about".

Serbia almost had their second just before the half but Dusko Tosic's diving header from point-blank range skidded off his head to Nemanja Matic who couldn't react fast enough to finish the chance.

The teams face off in Group E on Friday with top after their opening win over Costa Rica. I think we all together need to steer away from politics in football and we should focus on this sport as a attractive game and something that brings people together.

Xhaka silenced the Serbian contingent in the 52nd minute, however, when he rifled home a loose ball in spectacular style from 25 meters before Shaqiri ran onto a through ball and finished with aplomb to win the game at the death.

Shaqiri had been booed relentlessly by Serbia fans during the high-quality match, but had the last laugh with his last ditch victor.

A draw for Serbia would have put them in the ascendancy going into that crucial crunch clash with the South Americans, but the Europeans will now be resting their hopes of qualification on, not only a Costa Rican masterclass, but also a masterclass of their own against the most decorated nation in the competition's history.

Serbia had a glorious chance to regain the lead 20 minutes from time when Aleksandar Kolarov delivered a sensational low cross into the Switzerland box, but Mitrovic just could not make contact at the far post.

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